The 2014 Lobo Howl – Friday – in The Pit (free admission/parking)
6 p.m.: Doors open, Select-a-Seat opportunities, Lobo women autographs, Lobo men autographs
7-8 p.m.: Yvonne Sanchez’s Lobo women’s hour
8-9 p.m.: Craig Neal’s Lobo men’s hour
REMINDER: Avoid Avenida Cesar Chavez construction. Use alternate routes.
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
It might be the most famous haircut since Delilah took the shears to Sampson. For sure, it will be one of the most-viewed trimmings, if the 2014 Lobo Howl lures the 10,158 that hit The Pit a year ago to welcome in Craig Neal’s and Yvonne Sanchez’s Lobos.
Coach Neal made quite a splash in 2013 riding his shiny Harley down The Pit ramp. This year Neal will take center court on Bob King’s Floor and get a much-needed haircut.
“I’ll be glad when Friday comes so I can cut my hair,” said Neal.
The Neal locks will fall and be donated to “Locks of Love”, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to cancer patients who have suffered from long-term medical hair loss. Neal’s cutting will happen during the Lobo men’s hour – 8 to 9 p.m. There will be lots of basketball stuff going on, too.
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THE 2O14 LOBO HOWL FRIDAY — IN THE PIT 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M. ADMISSION — FREE |
Sanchez’s Lobos will take to the court from 7 to 8 p.m. Sanchez won’t have too many new faces to introduce on Friday as her squad returns 11 letterwinners and three starters. Sanchez’s Lobos have been hurt the past few seasons with injury, but begin the 2014-15 season with 16 healthy Lobos.
“We’re deeper and more athletic than I think we’ve ever been since I’ve been the head coach here,” said Sanchez. “Are we more talented? I don’t know yet. Time will tell. But our attitude is tremendous and our work ethic is tremendous.”
The new faces this season are freshmen Cherise Beynon, Kenya Pye, Laneah Bryan and Jayda Bovero. Another welcome face to this year’s roster is Ebony Walker, who missed all but three games last year due to injury. Her inside presence is expected to be a huge key to Lobo success in 2014-15.
“I’m so ready to get on the court,” said Walker. “I can’t even express how hungry I am to get out there. I just want to go all out, have fun and enjoy it.”
Sanchez and Neal participated in the Mountain West Digital Media Day on Tuesday. The feed originated from The Pit with the New Mexico media asking questions first to Coach Neal, Hugh Greenwood and Deshawn Delaney. Then media members throughout the conference phoned in questions. The process was repeated with Coach Sanchez, Antiesha Brown and Walker.
Neal’s men were tabbed to finish third in the Mountain West. Sanchez’s Lobos were picked ninth.
“We have to earn everything,” said Sanchez. “We had a tough year last year. Nothing is going to be given to us and we know it. Our deal is to get better every day. We understand we have to get better.”
Neal said he was somewhat surprised his 2014-15 Lobos were picked third. He said he thought they might go “five to seven,” but said the third-place nod obviously is a reflection of the respect the Mountain West has for the New Mexico program.
“We’re really excited to get this season started,” said Neal. “We have nine new faces. It’s a unique mix of new guys and a unique mix of athletic ability. Do I think we are able to compete for a championship? I believe that every year.”
Neal’s program might be looking at a reloading year, but he says the team’s goal is to win the Mountain West title and go NCAA dancing.
At Friday’s Howl, there are a lot of new faces for Neal to introduce to Lobo fans: J.J. N’Ganga, Jordan Goodman, Elijah Brown, Sam Logwood, Xavier Adams, Joe Furstinger, Tim Jacobs, Adam Cumber and Tim Williams.
The familiar faces returning to Neal’s Lobos are Cullen Neal, Hugh Greenwood, Arthur Edwards, Obij Aget, Devon Williams and Deshawn Delaney.
What that translates into is a lot of Lobos will be taking to Bob King Court for the first time and experiencing what The Pit is like with thousands of fans in attendance.
So, start the guessing game on who is going to fill those Lobo holes in 2014-15. Come to the Howl and start guessing. Get some autographs and don’t forget about that haircut thing.